The Texas Department of Transportation’s 9th annual “Click It or Ticket” event kicks off with a warning to drivers and passengers to fasten their safety belts or you WILL get a ticket!

According to the Texas Law passed in 2009, drivers, passengers, adults and children must be properly restrained and or even more tickets are in store this year for violators.

With so much confusion on the requirements set forth in this law, the campaign aims to make it simple – Everyone Must Buckle Up. To further clarify, TxDot Traffic Operations Division Director Carol Rawson explains, “all passengers in the back seat now must be buckled up, and children younger than eight years old have to ride in a child safety seat or booster seat unless they are taller than four feet, nine inches and anyone not in compliance with this law will incur a fine from $25 to $250 plus court costs.” She further stated, “buckling up can not only save you from getting an expensive ticket, it can also save your life.”

TxDot statistics shows that traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for Texans between the ages of four and 44 and last year alone, more than 3,400 people died in fatal collisions on Texas streets and highways. According to the Texas Transportation Institute, motorists least likely to buckle up continue to include men, teenage boys and pickup drivers and passengers.

Between May 24 and June 6, including the Memorial Day holiday weekend, thousands of state troopers are expected to join forces with local police officers and county sheriff’s to step-up the enforcement of these laws.

Statistics show that since the law was enacted, fatalities are on the decrease and more Texans are buckling up. The message is simple: the next time you hit the road, make sure to buckle everyone up!

For more information, visit www.texasclickitorticket.com.